Birds to See in Maryland in October
157 bird species on our list for Maryland are recorded regularly in October
Of these, the most often recorded are Blue Jay, Northern Cardinal, American Crow, Red-bellied Woodpecker and Downy Woodpecker. New this month: Hermit Thrush, Common Loon, Fox Sparrow and Surf Scoter and 19 more.
On the move in October
GBIF · OctArriving
At their peak
Ruby-crowned KingletBusiest month of the year · Sep–May
Yellow-rumped WarblerBusiest month of the year · Sep–May
Swamp SparrowBusiest month of the year · Sep–Jun
Palm WarblerBusiest month of the year · Apr–May
Sharp-shinned HawkBusiest month of the year · Sep–May
Lincoln's SparrowBusiest month of the year · May
From Maryland’s bird records, 2019–2024: arriving birds are regular this month but not last; leaving birds are regular this month but not next.
Other months
All 157 birds in October
157 birds
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 3.67% in Oct
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 3.60% in Oct
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 2.97% in Oct
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 2.87% in Oct
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 2.40% in Oct
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 2.35% in Oct
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 2.33% in Oct
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentCommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 2.30% in Oct
Turkey VultureCathartes auraResidentCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 2.22% in Oct
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 2.21% in Oct
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaResidentCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 2.09% in Oct
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.06% in Oct
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 2.04% in Oct
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.93% in Oct
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 1.93% in Oct
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.91% in Oct- Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaWinter visitorCommon9–11 cmRegularly Sep–May · 1.77% in Oct
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.75% in Oct- Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Sep–May · 1.57% in Oct
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 1.41% in Oct
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 1.36% in Oct
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.35% in Oct
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.23% in Oct
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusResidentCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.15% in Oct
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusResidentCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 1.13% in Oct
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.08% in Oct- Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.92% in Oct
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.91% in Oct
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragusResidentCommon36–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.87% in Oct
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusWinter visitorCommon19–22 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.78% in Oct- Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumPassage migrantCommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.78% in Oct
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.71% in Oct
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.70% in Oct
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.66% in Oct
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumResidentCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.55% in Oct
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.54% in Oct
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaResidentCommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.53% in Oct
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusWinter visitorCommon53–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.47% in Oct
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.43% in Oct
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusWinter visitorCommon14–18 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.42% in Oct
Wood DuckAix sponsaSummer visitorCommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in Oct
Great White EgretArdea albaSummer visitorCommon80–104 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.39% in Oct- Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.38% in Oct
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentUncommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in Oct
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.34% in Oct
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in Oct
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorCommon54–58 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.29% in Oct
Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaPassage migrantCommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.28% in Oct
Forster's TernSterna forsteriSummer visitorUncommon33–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in Oct
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsWinter visitorUncommon31–38 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.24% in Oct
Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensSummer visitorCommon11–12 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.24% in Oct
Black-throated Blue WarblerSetophaga caerulescensSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.23% in Oct
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusWinter visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.22% in Oct
American Black DuckAnas rubripesWinter visitorCommon54–59 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Oct
Blackpoll WarblerSetophaga striataPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.22% in Oct
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorUncommon34–38 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.21% in Oct
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysWinter visitorUncommon15–16 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.20% in Oct
Cape May WarblerSetophaga tigrinaPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.20% in Oct
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaWinter visitorUncommon29–40 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.20% in Oct- Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.19% in Oct
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisWinter visitorCommon35–43 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.19% in Oct
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaSummer visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.18% in Oct
Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusPassage migrantUncommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.17% in Oct
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.16% in Oct
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Oct
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesPassage migrantUncommon23–27 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.14% in Oct
Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaPassage migrantUncommon10–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.14% in Oct
Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusSummer visitorUncommon18–22 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.12% in Oct
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusWinter visitorUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Oct
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorUncommon44–51 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.11% in Oct
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.11% in Oct
GadwallMareca streperaWinter visitorUncommon46–56 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.10% in Oct
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisSummer visitorCommon7–9 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.10% in Oct
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.10% in Oct
Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaSummer visitorCommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.10% in Oct
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorUncommon66–91 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.09% in Oct
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusResidentUncommon19–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Oct
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusWinter visitorUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Oct
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaSummer visitorUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Oct
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.08% in Oct
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.07% in Oct
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.07% in Oct
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisResidentUncommon10–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Oct
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioResidentUncommon16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Oct
SanderlingCalidris albaWinter visitorUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Oct
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Oct
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusSummer visitorUncommon17–19 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.06% in Oct
OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.06% in Oct
Gray-cheeked ThrushCatharus minimusPassage migrantUncommon16–17 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.06% in Oct
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Oct
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxSummer visitorUncommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Oct
Virginia RailRallus limicolaResidentUncommon20–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Oct
Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusillaSummer visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.05% in Oct
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisResidentUncommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Oct
Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaSummer visitorCommon10–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.04% in Oct
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusSummer visitorUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in Oct
Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillataWinter visitorUncommon48–60 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.04% in Oct
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresResidentUncommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Oct
Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaPassage migrantUncommon14–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.04% in Oct
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusSummer visitorRare13–17 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.03% in Oct
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaSummer visitorRare43–51 cmRegularly Feb–Nov · 0.03% in Oct
BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorusSummer visitorUncommon16–20 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in Oct
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusPassage migrantUncommon18–23 cmRegularly Jul–Oct · 0.03% in Oct
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusWinter visitorRare27–30 cmRegularly Jul–Mar · 0.02% in Oct
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Oct
Fox SparrowPasserella iliacaWinter visitorUncommon15–19 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.02% in Oct
Trumpeter SwanCygnus buccinatorResidentRare139–157 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Oct
Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celataWinter visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.02% in Oct
White-rumped SandpiperCalidris fuscicollisPassage migrantRare15–18 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.02% in Oct
American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominicaPassage migrantRare24–28 cmRegularly Aug–Oct · 0.02% in Oct
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaWinter visitorUncommon28–38 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.02% in Oct
Northern GannetMorus bassanusWinter visitorUncommon87–100 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.02% in Oct
Cattle EgretArdea ibisSummer visitorUncommon46–56 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.02% in Oct
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusWinter visitorRare58–85 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.02% in Oct
Cackling GooseBranta hutchinsiiWinter visitorUncommon53–76 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.02% in Oct
VeeryCatharus fuscescensSummer visitorUncommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Oct
DickcisselSpiza americanaSummer visitorRare14–16 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.01% in Oct
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Oct
Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.01% in Oct
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorUncommon31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Oct
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentRare140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Oct
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.01% in Oct
Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicusWinter visitorRare17–21 cmRegularly Oct–Feb · 0.01% in Oct
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorUncommon55–66 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Oct
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorUncommon53–69 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Oct
Philadelphia VireoVireo philadelphicusPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Sep–Oct · 0.01% in Oct
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisPassage migrantRare28–34 cmRegularly Oct–Jan · 0.01% in Oct
Western SandpiperCalidris mauriPassage migrantUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Jul–Dec · 0.01% in Oct
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusPassage migrantRare15–17 cmRegularly Aug–Dec · 0.01% in Oct
Hudsonian GodwitLimosa haemasticaPassage migrantRare36–42 cmRegularly Sep–Oct · 0.01% in Oct
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisWinter visitorRare80–122 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Oct
WilletTringa semipalmataSummer visitorUncommon33–41 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.01% in Oct
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaPassage migrantRare40–50 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.01% in Oct
Franklin's GullLeucophaeus pipixcanPassage migrantRare32–36 cmRegularly Oct–Nov · 0.01% in Oct
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboWinter visitorRare80–100 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Oct
Golden EagleAquila chrysaetosWinter visitorRare66–102 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Oct
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataWinter visitorRare66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Oct
Black-billed CuckooCoccyzus erythropthalmusSummer visitorRare28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.00% in Oct
Grey PhalaropePhalaropus fulicariusPassage migrantRare20–22 cmRegularly Oct–Dec · 0.00% in Oct
Purple SandpiperCalidris maritimaWinter visitorRare20–22 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Oct
Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusPassage migrantRare18–19 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.00% in Oct
Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalisPassage migrantRare20–24 cmRegularly Sep–Nov · 0.00% in Oct
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusPassage migrantRare41–46 cmRegularly Sep–Nov · 0.00% in Oct
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisPassage migrantRare36–41 cmRegularly Jun–Oct · 0.00% in Oct
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorRare40–46 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.00% in Oct
Mourning WarblerGeothlypis philadelphiaPassage migrantRare10–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.00% in Oct
Ruffed GrouseBonasa umbellusResidentRare41–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Oct
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorSummer visitorRare22–24 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.00% in Oct
Baird's SandpiperCalidris bairdiiPassage migrantRare14–17 cmRegularly Aug–Oct · 0.00% in Oct
Lapland LongspurCalcarius lapponicusWinter visitorRare15–16 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.00% in Oct
Swan GooseAnser cygnoidesWinter visitorRare81–94 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.00% in Oct
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusSummer visitorRare17–18 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.00% in Oct
Red KnotCalidris canutusSummer visitorRare23–26 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.00% in Oct
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentRare50–90 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.00% in Oct
Pomarine JaegerStercorarius pomarinusPassage migrantRare46–51 cmRegularly Jun–Nov · 0.00% in Oct
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraWinter visitorRare15–17 cmRegularly Jun–Feb · 0.00% in Oct
ChukarAlectoris chukarResidentRare32–38 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.00% in Oct
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made